Non-refillable bottle.



Patented Ian. 8. IBM.

J. J.- BROWN.

NON-REFILLABLE BOTTLE.

(Application alga Feb. 2, 1900.)

(No Model.)

NITED STATES FFrcE.

JOHN J. BROWN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JERRY O.

' KING, OF SAME PLACE.

NON-REFILLABLE BOTTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,400, dated January 8, 1901.

Application filed February 2, 1900. Serial No. 3,742. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JOHN J. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Non-Refillable Bottles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bottles of the nonrefillable class; and its primary object is to provide means for effectually preventing the introduction of liquid into the bottle, and consequently preventing the unauthorized use of the bottle, the construction being such, however, that the contents of the bottle may be :5 freely decanted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bottle with a valve which opens to allow the free discharge of liquid from the bottle when the latter is tilted, but automatic- 2o ally seats itself after the bottle is returned to normal position, thus permitting the decanting of a part of the contents of the bottle without exposing the remainder thereof to the deteriorating action of the air, thus preserving the strength and flavor of the liquid as long as any part thereof remains in the bottle.

A characteristic feature of the invention is that improved means are provided for insur- 0 ing a quick and positive closing of the valve. The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter and defined in the appended claims, in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a 3 5 part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bottle embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4. is a perspective view of the guard employed for preventing tampering with the valve of the bottle.

The reference numeral 1 designates the body of the bottle, and 2 the neck thereof, 4.5 the lower portion of which is externally screw-threaded and formed with an annular groove 3. The upper portion 4 of the neck is reduced circumferentially and formed of star or other irregular shape in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 3, and terminates at its upper end in an annular seat 5. The reduction of the upper portion of the neck forms a flange 5, fora purpose hereinafter explained. The neck is formed centrally with an annu lar groove 6, within which is supported a ring or gasket 7, adapted to support a ball-valve 8.

Within the seat 5 is supported an elastic ring or gasket 9, which surrounds a guard comprising a disk 10 and a grooved ring 11, suspended from the disk 10 by arms or webs 1.2, the spaces 13 between the arms or webs constituting passages for the escape of liquid. Depending centrally from the under side of the disk 10 is a conical pin 13 upon the lower end of which is fitted an elastic cap or nipple 14. This nipple extends down within the neck to nearly or quite touch the'ballvalve 8, and when the valve leaves its seat it contracts the nipple, and the expansion thereof when the valve falls back to its seat operates to seat the valve quickly and positively.

15 designates a supplemental neck fitting over the upper portion of the neck 2 and resting on the flange 5 thereof. The upper portion of the supplemental neck is reduced circumferentially to form an annular shoulder 16 and a mouth or spout 17, said shoulder 16 resting upon the gasket 9 to support it in place.

18 designates a cap or cylinder preferably formed of aluminium or other thin light metal and fitting over the neck and provided at its upper end with an annular horizontal shoulder 19, bearing upon theshoulder 16 of the supplemental neck.

The lower portion of the cap 18 is screwthreaded,as shown at 20, to engage the threads on the neck 2, and the cap is further secured in place after being screwed to position by forcing the metal of the cap into the groove 3 at diametrically opposite points by any suitable implement. This projection of the metal into the groove of the bottle-neck, as shown at 21 in Figs. 1 and 2, securely locks the cap and prevents its being turned, as will be readily understood.

The cap 18 is designed to bear the trademark or other identifying label of the owner of the bottle, and the destruction or mutilation of the cap is necessary before the bottle can be refilled. As long as the cap is intact and in its position upon the bottle, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the valve 8 and guard cannot be tampered with and ingress of liquid is impossible.

The construction of the guard is such that the introduction of a wire or other implement through the spaces 13 will be prevented by the conical or funnel-shaped pin.

It will be apparent that when the bottle is tilted sufficiently the ball 8 will leave its seat, allowing the liquid to pass out through the gasket 7 and the openings in the guard. The reseating of the ball eifectually closes the neck of the bottle against the admission of liquid.

After the cap is removed, which may be done by authorized parties, the supplemental neck, the guard, and the ball are readily removed to permit the bottle to be refilled, after which a new cap bearing the proper trademark or label is applied.

The cross-sectional form of the upper reduced portion of the bottle-neck is such that an ordinary cylindrical cork will not close it tightly, and thus the bottle could not be used by unauthorized persons even without the supplemental sleeve and securing-cap.

The lower edge of the securing-cap is preferably projected outwardly at one side, as shown at 22, to facilitate the removal of the cap by a suitable implement.

I claim 1. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with a neck formed with external screwthreads and an external groove; of a valve within the neck; a guard above said valve, and a yielding nipple adapted to be contracted by the contact therewith of the valve, and by expanding to aid in seating the valve.

2. In a non-refillable bottle, the combination with aneck formed with externalscrewthreads and an external groove, of a valve within the neck; a guard above said valve havinga depending elastic nipple for the purpose described; a supplemental removable neck fitting over the integral neck; and a metallic cap formed with threads to engage the neck and dented or projected inward to engage the groove in the neck.

3. The combination with a bottle neck having an external groove external screwthreads and an internal groove and a circumferentiallyreduced upper portion formed with an annular seat at its upper end; of a gasket fitting the internal groove of the neck; a valve resting on said gasket; a guard supported above the neck; a supplemental neck fitting over the reduced portion of the integral neck; and a cap threaded to engage the neck and dented to engage the groove in the neck.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. BROWN.

\Vitnesses:

F. O. MCCLEARY, J. J. NELLIGAN. 

